LOVE YOUR MOTHER! It's Almost Earth Day!
As Earth Day approaches it’s a wonderful time to step outside and put your feet on the ground. Not the street, sidewalk, or building, but the earth that holds all of us.
As I write this, we are nearing the end of National Public Health Week. Please remember: climate change is the biggest threat to public health ever. Our health and the health of our environment are permanently and deeply intertwined. And each one of us can influence both our personal and collective health!
A friend and supporter passed on a wonderful Eeboo puzzle of climate activists and the slogans have stayed with me:
Climate is Changing - Why aren’t We?
The Sea Level is Rising And So Are We
Poll_ution
Ed_cation
Sol_tion
What’s missing? (U!)
The snow must go on!
If the Planet were a bank it would be saved
Don’t BEE a Fossil Fool!
There is no Planet B
Protect Respect Love
Science, Not Fiction
We will go to school if you keep the planet cool!
We are missing our lessons so we can teach you one!
You are never too small to make a difference
I’m sure the dinosaurs thought they had time too!
What's certain - is that the future is uncertain. Prepare for the unexpected. Cultivate flexibility in thinking and action.
What resonates for you? How will you stay engaged, as the air and oceans warm, the storms, fires and floods intensify, and what appears very certain is other our future is uncertain?
Join Regeneración in working for a safer, more climate resilient future!
Here are 2 easy ways to give:
-Donate securely on our website.
-Make a check out to Community Initiatives with Regeneration in the memo.
Mail to:
Regeneration
PO Box 1252
Freedom, CA 95019
Thank you.
Working with you to build a more healthy, equitable, and climate-resilient Pájaro Valley,
Nancy Faulstich, Director
with Eloy Ortiz, Special Projects Manager and Maria Perez, Community Organizer
Meet our newest Advisory Board Member!
Jackeline Castorena-Davila is a bilingual sustainability consultant with Environmental Innovations and has experience spanning sales, social media marketing, design, and community outreach. She brings passion and expertise to projects, notably leading efforts to assist small, local businesses in disadvantaged communities meet local and state mandates and certify those who go above and beyond as Green Businesses.
Through this process, she makes sure that the Spanish-speaking business owners of the Pajaro Valley, her home community, are treated equitably.
Before joining EI, Jakki worked on impactful initiatives in water pollution prevention and community cleanup programs as an intern for the City of Watsonville.
In her spare time, Jakki enjoys exploring and cleaning up the Watsonville Sloughs, diving into arts and crafts, and getting lost in captivating stories from movies, shows, and books.
Save the date - May 8!
Join us for a reception for our pilot Photo Journalism project on May 8, 2024, from 6-7:30 pm.
112 East Beach St, Watsonville - Somos Watsonville space.
Refreshments, short program, and viewing of photos by project participants.
Advance registration requested. Click here.
The images and stories are heartfelt and impactful. Come meet the artists!
Earn While You Learn!
Central Coast Energy Services: Paid part time positions are available to participate in a training program + hands on work experience to learn home energy efficiency and electrification skills. Program starts in May.
Learn more and apply online.
Thank you - year-end giving success!
We received 177 end of year gifts totaling $73,756.78.
Fun fact: We received 1 gift by cash, 31 by check and 145 online.
These gifts fuel our day to day operations as we work to build a climate-ready and climate-responsive Pajaro Valley.
Every supporter is significant! (Appreciations to Alfcermed of Pixabay for image).
Source for Good and Bad Climate News!
Online resource: “What’s Happening with the Climate,” is an easy and quick way to stay up-to-date with a summary of information about key climate emergency events around the world.
Spending 5 minutes a day (or even every week!) reading the postings will help us all stay informed about the actual situation we are facing. Thank you to Filmbetrachter from Pixabay for image.
Partner Good News
The City of Watsonville, Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and Community Arts & Empowerment are collaborating on the design and installation of a mosaic mural for the entrance wall of the new Nature Center in Ramsay Park (scheduled to open in Fall 2025) and coordinating mosaic installations on the pathway leading from the Center to the nearby wetland trail.
Take survey by end of May to inform the design.
Pajaro Flood Anniversary commemoration
View short film about the Recepción de Pajaro.
It features interviews with local leaders Joselyn, Erica, and Sister Delores as well as clips from the evening including the danzantes Aztecas.
Producer: Steve Herrera, educator and a Board member of the Center for Farmworker Families.
Free Bus Passes for Youth through 12/24!
Santa Cruz METRO is now extending Youth Cruz Free through December 31, 2024 after the agency saw a 400% increase in youth ridership since the program began in March 2023.
“The goal of Youth Cruz Free is to encourage young people to form a lifelong habit of riding transit,” said John Urgo, METRO Planning & Development Director.
“This program increases access to opportunities and resources for all Santa Cruz County youth, especially those in historically under-served communities."
To get a free Youth Cruz Free ID (for those without a student ID), visit one of METRO’sCustomer Service booths in Santa Cruz or Watsonville, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm (closed for breaks and lunch). Bring a form of ID or proof of grade level and fill out the Youth Cruz Free On-Demand Form. Please allow at least 5-10 minutes for processing. The first ID is free.
For more information visit scmetro.org/youthcruzfree, or for questions call Customer Service at (831) 425-8600 or email youthcruz
Not so good climate news
Brace for an intense Atlantic hurricane season! Very warm oceans may result in a predicted 20-24 named storms this coming season - well above historical averages.
Thank you to 12019 from Pixabay for the image.
Upcoming Events
April 11: 12 pm - Heat Pump Water Heaters webinar Link to register
April 20: 12-4 Earth Day Santa Cruz, Cooper St.
April 21: Watsonville Earth Day/Children's Day, 12-4 pm
April 21: Seaside Earth Day with Trashion Fashion Show and Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive
April 26: 6:30 pm Youth V Gov Film and Discussion. Register HERE.
May 8: 6:00-7:30 pm Pajaro Photo Voice Project Reception, Somos Cafe, Watsonville (112 East Beach St, Watsonville). Register here.